Time is of the Essence 2024 Luncheon

2024 Time is of the Essence Luncheon & Fashion Show

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Thank you for supporting the luncheon!

The Annual Time is of the Essence Luncheon and Fashion Show was a smashing, stylish success!

It took place Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at

The Sailfish Club, Palm Beach

Chairwomen Andrea Stark, Eddy Taylor and Christine Schott welcomed more than 250 guests to H.O.W.'s annual Time is of the Essence Luncheon at The Sailfish Club, Palm Beach. An added component to the day was an informal fashion show featuring the designs of this year's guest speaker Dennis Basso. Mr. Basso is a vibrantly talented American designer who has been hailed by both celebrity and private clients for over three decades. Frances Fisher and Betsy K. Matthews served as Honorary Chairwomen.

In a casual interview format, Dennis answered questions from Guest Moderator Pamela Fiori, former first female editor of Town & Country magazine, the oldest continuously published general-interest magazine in America, and authority on luxury travel and lifestyle.

The day also included a curated silent auction and a prize drawing for an exquisite diamond and blue topaz butterfly pendant with a retail value of $15,000, generously donated by LD Klein. Mr. Basso also surprised the audience with a special drawing of one of his buttery soft cashmere throw creations to keep one fashionably warm during cooler temperatures!

Another highlight was made by H.O.W. Executive Director Jennifer McGrath as she announced that Glenda Wright made a planned gift of her entire estate to benefit H.O.W.! Glenda passed away in August of 2023.

Dennis Basso:

In 2002, Mr. Basso opened his first freestanding boutique, at the prestigious Little Nell Hotel in Aspen, which was followed by the 2003 opening of his original flagship on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. Dennis Basso collections were also expanding globally, and he now has a 2,400 square foot in-store boutique at Harrods.

Mr. Basso’s most recent brand extension, in 2011, was the launch of an exclusive collection of bridal designs for the esteemed Kleinfeld Bridal salon in New York City. In 2014, he opened a sleek new flagship located at 825 Madison Avenue in a landmark four story townhouse with an expansive 10,500 square feet in order to present pure Dennis Basso glamour and collections of evening, ready-to-wear, and accessories.

Mr. Basso believes that all women should have access to a quality, sophisticated wardrobe and over 20 years ago, he embarked on a major collaboration with QVC, presenting faux furs, ready-to-wear, and accessories, and, subsequently, a home collection. A loyal customer following grew exponentially making Dennis Basso a foremost QVC collection…with an audience in the millions, appearing also on QVC in the United Kingdom.

Pamela Fiori:

Prior to joining Town & Country, Ms. Fiori was widely credited with the success of Travel & Leisure, which she edited for 14 years. At both Town & Country and Travel & Leisure, she wrote monthly editor’s letters, feature articles, as well as interviews and profiles of prominent people such as Ralph Lauren, Robert Redford, Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Giorgio Armani and Audrey Hepburn. Ms. Fiori has written seven books, most recently the history of Holiday magazine for Rizzoli, now in its fifth printing.

Your involvement and support of H.O.W.'s annual luncheon greatly impacts our mission of funding life-saving ovarian cancer research, medical student scholarships, and financial assistance and screenings for women in need.

Whether you purchased a raffle ticket, found success winning an auction item, made a donation or sponsored the event, you were a part of inspiring moments in our unending quest of ovarian cancer awareness for all women - for symptoms do not roar they whisper.

For more information - please contact

Jennifer McGrath, Executive Director at

jennifer@howflorida.org or

(561) 406-2109